Friday Morning Coffee: The Weekend Warm-Up.

Good Friday Morning, Fellow Seekers. Welcome to the final furlong before Gov. Tom Corbett unveils his long-awaited budget address next week.

Unsurprisingly, fiscal matters are on most folks' minds these days. So we begin with the news of a new report from Auditor General Jack Wagner, who says state government should stop pillaging Pennsylvania's tobacco settlement fund and use the money for its original intention: healthcare related programs.

That includes the state's now shuttered adultBasic health insurance program, the Allegheny County Democrat told reporters at a briefing yesterday. Over the last couple of years, lawmakers and former Gov. Ed Rendell used the tobacco money for just about everything but healthcare programs.

"Because we're still stuck in the greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression, now is not the time for the state government to be eliminating or reducing its commitment to help hardworking Pennsylvanians get the medical assistance they need," Wagner told the Associated Press.

Wagner highlighted the decision to spend $121 million in tobacco money to help the state shoulder a rising pension obligation to public school employees, while emptying a reserve meant to address future health care needs, the AP reported.

If Republican Corbett and lawmakers decide to use the tobacco settlement money for purposes not included the 2001 law that authorizes how the state should spend the money, they should hold public hearings to discuss the new uses, Wagner suggested.

We will not hold our breath waiting for that to happen.

The rest of today's news starts now.

So This Isn't A Surprise. An Allegheny County judge has ordered a mistrial in state Sen. Jane Orie's, R-Allegheny, corruption trial after it emerged yesterday that documents used by the defense had the key prosecution witness' signature pasted onto them to undercut her credibility. As he ordered a mistrial for Orie and her sister, Janine Orie, 56, a decidedly unamused Judge Jeffrey Manning said a fraud had been perpetrated against the court, the AP reported.Manning further annoyed Orie's defense attorney, Bill Costopoulos of Harrisburg, when he brought the jury into the courtroom to explain his decision. According to the AP, Costopoulos argued it was "outrageous" to conclude the defense altered them, and that Manning stating so publicly might jeopardize any eventual retrial.Manning didn't much care. "It's a fraud on the court, on the jury and on the justice system," the judge said. "And frankly Mr. Costopoulos, that's what's outrageous here." For those of you playing along at home, Orie, formerly the Senate's majority whip, has been accused of using public money for political purposes.

The House Transportation Committee ... ... has signed off on legislation allowing the state to enter into so-called "public-private parnterships" to help finance road and bridge projects across the state, Capitolwire reports this morning. The legislation authorizes the development, management, operating or financing of transportation projects by private entities. The state would maintain ownership and share in the proceeds.

Veteran Democratic Rep. Ted Harhai ... ... is considering a run for district justice in Westmoreland County that would pit him against a longtime political and personal rival, the Valley Independent of Monessen reports.Harhai tells the newspaper that he's circulating petitions to cross-file as a Republican and a Democrat against incumbent Joseph A. Dalfonso. This is why we love smalltown politics ...

A Confirmation Hearing ... ... for acting Corrections Secretary John Wetzelis back on, now that some Senate Democrats have apparently had their questions answered about the Corbett administration's decision to cancel the construction of a new state prison in Fayette County. Sen. Richard Alloway, R-Franklin, tells the Public Opinion of Chambersburg that Wetzel, the former warden of the Franklin County prison, will get his day before the chamber's Judiciary Committee. His confirmation hearing had been set for Monday but the plug was abruptly pulled at the last minute. “They put a hold on his confirmation because they had some questions about the prison issue,” Alloway said. “I think the Corbett administration has addressed those concerns with those senators. They lifted their hold on Mr. Wetzel. They further said they like him a lot and they think he’s going to do a good job.”

Deck Chair Rearranging Dept.Corinna Vecsey Wilson, lately a senior adviser to Treasurer Rob McCord, leaves state employ today. Starting March 14, she takes over as senior vice president of programming for the Pennsylvania Cable Network. Wilson will pick up periodic hosting duties on the channel's Journalists Roundtable show.

You Say It's Your Birthday Dept. Best wishes go out this morning to Peter J. Wirs, a trustee at the American Trust for Voters in Philadelphia. Personal best wishes also go out to the classiest barrister ever produced by Brisbane, Australia, Mr. Ian Gray.

On The Capitol Ideas iPod This Morning. We conclude our 1990s alt.rock retrospective with a clip from one of the godfathers of the scene: The Smashing Pumpkins. Billy Corgan may be insufferable. But there's no denying that "1979" is a great tune.

Friday's Finally Gratuitous Soccer Link. The second-most important derby in northern England gets played this weekend. Lancashire rivals Manchester United and Liverpool FC face off on Sunday. The match is a must-win for both clubs. United need all three points to retain their title chances. Liverpool, who sit 21 points behind United in sixth place, need the moral victory.

OK. That's it for now. We'll be back later today with more news and updates.